IMHO, bassers need to get over the notion that is is wrong to eat bass. The state regulations adequately protect the fishery, whether it is the normal length limit or a slot limit, and bag limit. Some bass need to be taken out as a way to provide more food for a normal population. A lake over-populated with small bass results in an under-fed, stunted bass population. Now, keep a few bass and eat them. They are excellent eating fish. I agree, however, that crappie and bluegill, are better.

Although I'm 100% CPR with largemouth, I have no problem with anglers keeping a few for the skillet. I get a little antsy when I see trophies of any species killed, however, whether it be bass, cats, gills or stripers. Perfectly within the rights of the angler and completely legal, just doesn't work for me.

I also haven't ever kept LM bass when I catch em, but am not opposed to doing so. If I'm fishing for dinner, I target crappie or catfish. But its been said above; removing some of the smaller bass just helps the lunkers survive, and they are the mamas that really get to business during the spawn, so I'd never keep any big gal that I catch...

I'll have to try the beer batter for some bass sometime, sounds pretty good. I usually let the black bass go, but I have no problem keeping one occasionally and think they taste pretty good fried. I understand the bass guys not wanting people to over harvest their hobby, but there's nothing wrong with taking a couple of average fish for dinner IMO. My home lake is Joe Pool and they encourage the harvest of the smaller bass with the slot limit so I'm lucky to be able to take home the occasional 12-13 inch eater.